Innovation Planning Process

Innovation in a company isn't a single step process; it's a number of steps (White & Bruton, 2011). All depends on the extent to which a company uses IT. Some companies use IT in support, while others rely primarily on IT for their goals. The company's objectives, short-term and long-term objectives are an important element in the assessment of a company. A company offers its production and marketing strategies with the knowledge of the products; its evaluation becomes easy. Amazon is an electronics and clothes shop online. It is a fashionable equipment shop with electronics.
Developments in IT are rapid. Companies must continue to update their technology.
Information Technology evolution is fast. Firms must keep improving and updating their technology to progress well and get rid of cumbersome and slow ones in their premises (White et al., 2011). It becomes urgent if a firm’s operations rotate around IT. It must strive to ensure they are using the latest technology. However, new technology comes at a cost. When investing in technology, these costs must be checked to prevent the business from incurring losses resulting from these cumbersome costs. As an online shop, Amazon will adopt the 4th quadrant of McFarlan & McKenney Strategic Grid Planning Process which shows High Current: High Future Impact. In the 4th quadrant, IT is a vital tool in its current role and how future IT developments will impact the firm (Dibrell, Craig, & Neubaum, 2014). At this point, the firm must know how to maximize benefits arising from IT. The company must also be always prepared on how to cope in case of the system breakdown.
Demand for their products has been steadily rising. People have grown in love with online shopping where you can access all the goods you want wherever you are. To make this access easier and convenience, Amazon must ensure that their website is easy to maneuver. Every new shopper must be able to access all the goods with ease. The graphics must also be attractive to the eye. The graphics will make the shopper view even other commodities. To Amazon, IT is an integral part of their daily operations. They must be equipped with the latest software to enhance their operation (Dibrell et al., 2014).
Customers need for change is the biggest factor in speeding adoption of innovation. The firm must move with speed to rectify a situation where the customers feel it is not working to their expectations. Whether it is the interface, the website navigation, order department or any other part of the firm, it must speed the innovation to solve that problem. The firm must know that an online retailer survives due to quick response to clients (Dibrell et al., 2014).
However, not all innovations come to fruition. Some designs are to the expectations of the firm, but in the long run, there is system breakdown. The system failure may be due to high traffic for shoppers during peak seasons. The breakdown in communication arising from faulty networks due to natural calamities may be another inhibition. All these are problems that may block the success of innovation.
Every great innovation is a great hit (Christensen, Raynor & McDonald, 2015). The benefits of such an innovation start streaming in as soon as the implementation of the development. With the originality of an idea, the firm will reap great benefits. Say, for example; Amazon develops an application for direct orders for the African market that is a development where the goods are tailored to the African taste. The African market will be swayed by this development and feel closer to home with Amazon. Such an innovation will greatly benefit Amazon. IT department will need to be creative when developing such an application and the firm when implementing it (Christensen et al., 2015).
There is a high possibility of ensuring continuity in the competitive advantage of this innovation. One way of achieving this is connecting the firm to its clients. The linking can be achieved primarily through its website; it should be user-friendly to all (Dibrell et al., 2014). As the idea is new, it will enable Amazon to offer competitive pricing to its clients. Also, by the fact that its operation base will be in Africa, closer to its clientele, the costs will be reduced. Another advantage is the economic integration of Africa, delivering products to its customers in most countries will not incur extra levies. All these factors combined will not only ensure competitive advantage but its continuity (Boons & Lüdeke-Freund, 2013).
A firm enjoys long-term benefits if its products are of high standards. Amazon is a well-established online shop and can ensure high standards of its products. One way to achieve this is to engage with established brands like Samsung for its electronic goods (Boons et al., 2013)). Customers will trust goods from a credible manufacturer. When all its suppliers manufacture and deliver to them genuine products, this will create high trust and standards.
IT is an integral part of Amazon. With a creative IT department, the firm will remain a top choice for online shoppers. IT innovation will also ensure innovations in the market and products promotion. In the long run, developments in IT will be a benefit to Amazon.

References

Boons, F., & Lüdeke-Freund, F. (2013). Business models for sustainable innovation: state-of-the-art and steps towards a research agenda. Journal of Cleaner Production, 45, 9-19.
Christensen, C. M., Raynor, M. E., & McDonald, R. (2015). Disruptive innovation. Harvard Business Review, 93(12), 44-53.
Dibrell, C., Craig, J. B., & Neubaum, D. O. (2014). Linking the formal strategic planning process, planning flexibility, and innovativeness to firm performance. Journal of Business Research, 67(9), 2000-2007.
White, M.A, & Bruton, G.D. (2011). The management of technology & innovation: A strategic approach (2nd ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western/ Cengage Learning.